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Houllier to shield Le Tallec

By Steve Luckings

LIVERPOOL&nbsp;boss Gerard Houllier says he will shield teenager Anthony Le Tallec from the limelight this season, despite his first goal in a red shirt on Sunday against a Hong Kong XI

Houllier has attempted to&nbsp;throw a protective arm around the&nbsp;18-year-old and said that he will be mainly featuring in the reserves this term, but the Frenchman will find it hard to leave his countryman out of his starting line-up after his early pre-season form.

Le Tallec has caught the eye since moving to Anfield from Le Havre along with Florent Sinama-Pongolle and signalled his intent with a goal in the 6-0 win on The Reds` pre-season tour, earning him praise from the Kop boss.

"Anthony took his goal extremely well," said Houllier. "It will be better for both him and Florent to play in the reserves this season so they can get used to English football.

"But in the future they will both be seen as important signings. It is only a matter of time, I can promise you that."